MK1 Integration and Test Director

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

The Lunar I&T Director of the MK1 Lander is responsible for leading a passionate team of test engineers of the MK1 test and flight articles from initial assembly through launch vehicle integration and all the supporting infrastructure. With Support from the greater Lunar I&T team, the Director will develop the Test Plan, resource the infrastructure, and oversee the successful and safe execution of MK1 Test.

The Director executes the test events through their extended test team of Lunar & Blue support elements, at Blue, NASA, and commercial test sites. The predominance of the build, test, and launch is in the vicinity of Cape Canaveral Florida, which is the primary site for this role. We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

You will play a key role in developing the MK1 Lander Vehicle which is the pathfinder of enabling the capability of returning humans to the Moon and extend human presence permanently beyond the bounds of Earth.

Special Mentions:

• Relocation provided
• Travel:
  • Nominally 20-30% increasing to 50% during environmental testing

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Management Responsibilities:

• Oversight and accountability of planning and execution of all MK1 Testing
• Manage 8-12 person direct report team of personnel including recruiting, training, coaching, mentoring, developing, and retaining talent by following and developing performance management processes.
• Promote teamwork, employee engagement, and good employee morale across all direct and supporting organizations.
• Monitor and ensure employees are trained and certified for assigned roles.
• Maintain the integrated master schedule providing clear and early indication and communication of predecessor needs to responsible organizations.
• Cost Account Manager. Lead capital, overhead, and labor budget planning, execution with performance to plan metrics.
• Identify and manage cost, schedule, and technical risks
• Support the program’s business rhythm by organizing and preparing MK1 Test data and metrics for; staff meetings, operating reviews (weekly program coordination meetings), decision boards, monthly and special corporate reporting.

Engineering Responsibilities:

• Establish the technical direction for the MK1 Test Team ensuring adherence to Blue Standards.
• Demand and demonstrate high standards test operations. Hold accountable and work collaboratively across a diverse team of Test Engineers working closely with Operations and Vehicle Design & Analysis team, streamlining communication ensuring effective execution of Program Milestones.
• Work with team to develop and execute test plans and procedures; perform subsequent data reduction and reviews. Close coordination with Vehicle Design & Analysis teams to work through vehicle requirements and test objectives.
• Lead daily test operations, operate test consoles, coordinate with internal customers
• Oversee root cause analysis and failure investigations, lead implementation of corrective actions or continuous improvement projects
• Ensuring requirements from operational safety analyses is embedded in test procedures. Accountable to ensuring test team is properly trained to safely and accurately carry out test operations.
• Ensure facilities are designed and maintained to safely execute test events.
• Identify engineering opportunities for safety improvements and cost savings. Work with Vehicle Team to ensure that vehicle is safely verified and successfully execute the MK1 mission.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS degree in engineering, or BS in sciences with >8 years demonstrated engineering
• 3+ years as a manager or direct leader of a technical team’s operations
• 12+ years in an engineering operations environment in aerospace, or large industry
• Strong project management, and team leadership
• Outstanding technical and non-technical written and verbal skills
• Strong background in vehicle level of integration and test
• Demonstrated leadership in establishing a high performing safety culture
• Demonstrated habitual drive to correct errors at their root and not pass them downstream. Ability to understand when to pushback, versus when to drive forward to successfully executing test events while
• Demonstrated effectiveness in setting high standards of performance and holding teams accountable
• Experience with major assembly testing as defined in industry standard SMC-S-016 or Blue corporate standards.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in conflict-resolution and an ability to bring a group to a decision
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated technical expertise in major assembly testing of large spacecraft from in build checks through spacecraft environmental screening in large test chambers.
• Demonstrated technical understanding in component and system level testing
• Demonstrated effectiveness in implementing continuous improvement to improve processes, methods, and practices
• Experience working on large complex programs with multiple partners.
• MS in engineering or PMP certification

Compensation Range for:

WA applicants is $211,905.00-$296,665.95

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S.as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation

• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification, Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing (CDL drivers only), vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.

• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Discretionary bonus: Bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.

• Eligibility for benefits varies by role type, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors